Playground apparatus



Feb. 7, 1923. A 1,658,097

F. M. PIERCE PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,097

F. M. PIERCE PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Filed June 5-, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JWVEiIEJ firazzlr 7Y2. Pierce Feb. 7, 1928.

PATENT rrica.

FRANK M. PIERCE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PLAYGROUND APPARATUS.

Application filed June 5, 1925. Serial No. 35,069.

This inventionrelates to playground apparatus in general and more particularly to an apparatus for playing with a ball which, when the ball is thrown therein, is adapted to return said ball in the general direction of the thrower, and has for its object the provision of a simple recreational apparatus of the playground type.

t is also an object of this invention to provide a device which is adapted to efficiently return a ball thrown therein.

It is further an important object of this invention to provide a means for affording recreation in the form of ball throwing and catching to an individual without requiring the latter to provide himself with a playmate.

It is also an important object of this invention to provide a ball returning device which. is adapted to receive balls thrown therein at various angles and which is adapted to return said balls to the thrower in planes substantially normal to the device.

Other and further important ob ects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings. I

This inventionin a preferred form-1s illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a device embodying this invention in use;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device;

Figure 3 is a vertical section at the line III III of Figure 2;

Figure a is a rear elevational view of the device;

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of a modified form of the device;

Figure 6 is a plan view of another modified form of the device; 7

Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinal section at the line VIIVII of Figure 6, and

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the modification shown in Figure 6.

As shown on the drawings:

The structure shown in Figure 1 comprises an open, substantially flat raceway of rigid construction having one end thereof bent upwardly and backwardly to provide an arcuate portion 2, which in this instance, terminates in a wing 3 effective to control the angle of return. The wing or portion 3 is bent upwardly intermediate the ends thereof ing a plurality of apertures? therein for supporting a rod 8. The lugs 5 of the member i are adapted to rest on the rod 8. The rod 53 may be selectively positioned in the apertures 7 to raise the rearward side of the mem her 1 to any desired height so as to cause a ball 9. when thrown in the device, to be returned at any desired angle of elevation. The shape of the device is such that when the ball is thrown therein, it will substantially follow the inner surface of the arcuate portion 2 and move toward the cent-er of the returning portion 3, the angle of elevation at which it is returned to the thrower being adapted to be varied by varying the position of the rod 8 and thus varying the angle which the portion 3 makes with the ground or floor.

In Figure 5 there is shown a modified form of the device in which the wing 10 is a uniformcontinuation of the raceway 1 to facilitate a return at any point intermediate the edges thereof.

In Figure 6 there is shown a modified form of a device in which the arcuate por tion is provided with a restricted throat which terminates in a converging spout, the extreme tip 11 of which is preferably cylindrical or semi-cylindrical.

There is preferably provided on the memher 1 near the arcuate portion 2 a laterally extending flat mat 12. The mat 12 is preferably of soft rubber and may be provided with tiny integral projections, as shown in Figure 2, or with integral corrugations, as shown in Figures 6 and 7 The function of theinat 12 is to prevent the ball 9, upon landing, from bounding too high and to insure continuous contact with the arcuate and wing portions of the device.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with an open fiat raceway, of an integral adjustable path deflecting wing associated therewith.

2. In a device of the" character described, a raceway comprising an arcuate,portion-at one end thereof, and a path deflecting wing integral therewith, said raceway being adjustable to vary the angle of return.

3. In a device of the character described, an open flat raceway, deflecting means at one end thereof, and means for adjust-ably supporting said deflecting means.

in a device of thecharacter described, a raceway, deflecting means at one end thereof, and means for adjustably supporting said deflecting means, said adjustable supporting means coi'i'iprising; a, n'ieniber secured tosaid deflecting means, and a rack associated with said member to permit a change in position ot-sa-idmember. i

5. Ina device of thecharacter described, the combination with a raceway, of an'integral adjustable path deflecting Wing associated therewith, and friction means on said i aceii'ay-near said Wing.

(3. In a device of the character described,

an openflat=ivaceway, and means integral therewith for adjustably deflecting the path thereof.

r 7. In a device of the character described, a raceway. a deflecting means, resilient means intermediate the ends'ofsaid raceway, and adjustable supporting means for said raceway.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

FRANK M. PIERCE. 

